Use of the South African Food Composition Database System (SAFOODS) and its products in assessing dietary intake data: Part II

A number of dietary research methodologies are available for the collection of quantitative dietary intake data. The methods most often used in South Africa include the 24-hour dietary recall, the quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and the dietary intake record. To quantify dietary intake, the information typically required includes the energy and nutrient composition of foods commonly consumed in South Africa. The South African Food Composition Database System (SAFOODS) and its products, e.g. the printed tables and software program FoodFinder3, provide the researcher with the tools to convert food intake data into energy and nutrient(s) intake. FoodFinder3 can be used for the nutrient analysis of the data. It also enables the user to export the data to MS Excel for further analysis and for importing the data into other statistical packages. Coding for the type and quantity of food consumed is required however before the data can be electronically analysed. The Food Quantities Manual of the Medical Research Council provides the necessary information for the conversion of food intake data recorded in household measures into grams of food. To ensure that the quality of the dataset is high, several steps have to be undertaken before statistical analysis and reporting of the data can take place. Appropriate statistical methods are required for the analysis of the data as nutrient intake data are often skewed. Using a standardised protocol, validated questionnaires and the South African Food Composition Database (SAFOOD) for the analysis of dietary intake data could make the pooling of data from small scale or regional studies possible. This may impart an impression of energy and nutrient intake at the national level, and could, at least in part, compensate for the absence of regular national surveys

Healthcareassociated infections in paediatric and neonatal wards: A point prevalence survey at four South African hospitals

Background. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) cause substantial morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. The prevalence of neonatal/paediatric HAI at South African (SA) district and regional hospitals is unknown.Objectives. To document HAI rates, antimicrobial use for HAI, infection prevention staffing, hand hygiene (HH) provisions and HH compliance rates in neonatal and paediatric wards in two district and two regional hospitals in the Western Cape Province, SA.Methods. An HAI point prevalence survey (PPS) was conducted in neonatal and paediatric wards at two district and two regional hospitals in the Western Cape during December 2016, applying National Healthcare Safety Network HAI definitions. HAI events and antimicrobial therapy active at 08h00 on the PPS day and during the preceding 7 days (period prevalence) were documented. Provisions for HH and HH compliance rates were observed on each ward using the World Health Organization’s HH surveillance tool.Results. Pooled point and period HAI prevalence were 9.9% (15/151; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6 - 15.8) and 12.6% (19/151; 95% CI 8 - 18.9), respectively. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (5/15, 33.3%), bloodstream infection (3/15, 20.0%) and urinary tract infection (3/15, 20.0%) were predominant HAI types. Risk factors for HAI were a history of recent hospitalisation (8/19, 42.1% v. 17/132, 12.9%; p<0.001) and underlying comorbidity (17/19, 89.5% v. 72/132, 54.5%; p<0.004). HH provisions (handwash basins/alcohol hand rub) were available and functional. HH compliance was higher in neonatal than in paediatric wards (125/243, 51.4% v. 25/250, 10.0%; p<0.001). Overall HH compliance rates were higher among mothers (46/107, 43.0%) than nurses (73/265, 27.8%) and doctors (29/106, 27.4%).Conclusions. Neonatal and paediatric HAIs are common adverse events at district and regional hospitals. This at-risk population should be prioritised for HAI surveillance and prevention through improved infection prevention practices and HH compliance.Â

Healthcare-associated infections in paediatric and neonatal wards: A point prevalence survey at four South African hospitals

Background. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) cause substantial morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. The prevalence of neonatal/paediatric HAI at South African (SA) district and regional hospitals is unknown.Objectives. To document HAI rates, antimicrobial use for HAI, infection prevention staffing, hand hygiene (HH) provisions and HH compliance rates in neonatal and paediatric wards in two district and two regional hospitals in the Western Cape Province, SA.Methods. An HAI point prevalence survey (PPS) was conducted in neonatal and paediatric wards at two district and two regional hospitals in the Western Cape during December 2016, applying National Healthcare Safety Network HAI definitions. HAI events and antimicrobial therapy active at 08h00 on the PPS day and during the preceding 7 days (period prevalence) were documented. Provisions for HH and HH compliance rates were observed on each ward using the World Health Organization’s HH surveillance tool.Results. Pooled point and period HAI prevalence were 9.9% (15/151; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6 - 15.8) and 12.6% (19/151; 95% CI 8 - 18.9), respectively. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (5/15, 33.3%), bloodstream infection (3/15, 20.0%) and urinary tract infection (3/15, 20.0%) were predominant HAI types. Risk factors for HAI were a history of recent hospitalisation (8/19, 42.1% v. 17/132, 12.9%; p<0.001) and underlying comorbidity (17/19, 89.5% v. 72/132, 54.5%; p<0.004). HH provisions (handwash basins/alcohol hand rub) were available and functional. HH compliance was higher in neonatal than in paediatric wards (125/243, 51.4% v. 25/250, 10.0%; p<0.001). Overall HH compliance rates were higher among mothers (46/107, 43.0%) than nurses (73/265, 27.8%) and doctors (29/106, 27.4%).Conclusions. Neonatal and paediatric HAIs are common adverse events at district and regional hospitals. This at-risk population should be prioritised for HAI surveillance and prevention through improved infection prevention practices and HH compliance.

A large-scale automated method for hepatocyte isolation: effects on proliferation in culture

Large-scale sterile methods for isolating hepatocytes are desirable for the development of bioartificial liver support systems. In this study the traditional centrifuge method was compared with the use of a Baylor Rapid Autologous Transfusion (BRAT) machine for isolating large quantities of porcine hepatocytes. After isolating hepatocytes, the methods were evaluated in terms of cell viability and yield per liver, proliferation over 7 days, and the effects on the cell cycle using the trypan blue exclusion test, conventional phase-contrast light microscopy, the lactate to pyruvate ratio, the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lidocaine clearance, albumin production, and flow cytometry. With the centrifuge method the mean cell viability was 92.5%, while with the BRAT method the viability was 95.9%. The minimal cell yields with the BRAT procedure were 7.3 x 10(9) for 250-ml centrifuge bowls and 2.8 x 10(9) for 165-ml bowls, which compares well with that found by other authors. Because the same initial procedures were employed in both methods the total hepatocyte yield per liver was comparable. Flow cytometry confirmed that the proliferation of hepatocytes was facilitated by oxygenation during the isolation procedure. The recovery of hepatocytes in culture following isolation was similar after either method. Daily microscopic investigation indicated that cytoplasmic vacuolization and granularities were present after either procedure and these disappeared following 3-4 days of culturing. Flow cytometry indicated that the hepatocyte cell cycle was similar after either method; at 7 days the profile indicated that the cells were still proliferating. Trends in the lactate to pyruvate ratio and the leakage of LD and AST indicated that the functional polarity of hepatocytes was regained after approximately 3 days. Lidocaine clearance at 4 days indicated that the cytochrome P450 system was active, while significant albumin production was apparent at day 5. The benefit of using BRAT technology in hepatocyte isolation lies in guaranteed sterility, convenience, speed, and the ability to oxygenate media and cell suspensions during the procedur

Réponse homogène de l'architecture des arbres au climat dans de nombreux biomes : conséquences sur l'adaptation des forêts au changement climatique

International audienceDes forêts semi-arides aux forêts boréales, en passant par les biomes méditerranéens, tempérés, et montagnards, 19 équipes ont étudié la plasticité du développement architectural de 18 espèces d'arbres soumis à des variations et stress climatiques dans 8 pays sur 3 continents. L'analyse porte sur la croissance des branches, leur ramification, le nombre et la taille des feuilles, la reproduction qui interfère avec ce développement et la phénologie qui en est l'un des moteurs. Le tout dans le milieu naturel, suivant de larges gradients d'altitude et de latitude, et dans des expérimentations contrôlant le climat (température, exclusion de pluie, irrigation). De façon très homogène, tous les arbres étudiés quel que soit le milieu réagissent aux stress en réduisant leur taux de ramification et le nombre de feuilles, en réduisant la taille des feuilles si la contrainte est hydrique et en modifiant leur stratégie reproductive. Nous montrons que l'adaptation de la surface foliaire à la ressource en eau est largement pilotée par la branchaison. L'inertie architecturale restreint l'adaptation foliaire et tamponne la production de biomasse longtemps après un stress fort ou répété. Le changement climatique modifie la phénologie de ces arbres, ajoutant des contraintes à leur développement. La modélisation du développement architectural des arbres dans ses relations au climat est une avancée significative pour comprendre leur capacité d'adaptation au changement climatique et les risques qui en découlent pour la production forestière